What happens if Liz Truss resigns today?
Prime Minister Liz Truss has had the worst start to her premiership than any other PM. And the last 48 hours in Westminster have been chaos.
There are rumours that the Liz Truss era is fast approaching its end, and many are plotting to oust her from No 10.
She has only been in the job since September 5.
In that time, the Queen died, Liz Truss crashed the economy, her mini-budget has been ripped up and replaced with policies that she campaigned against during the leadership race, she fired her chancellor and replaced him with a Rishi Sunak supporter, her home secretary resigned and offered up a scathing letter and there were reports of bullying from her cabinet at last night’s Commons vote.
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was fired after the mini-budget spooked the financial markets. Many argue that Truss should have gone with him as it was her financial vision as his.
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How does a Tory leadership election work?
According to the 1922 Committee, an incumbent Tory PM cannot face a confidence vote within their first year on the job. But there is speculation that this rule could be changed.
After that 12-month period, to trigger a contest vote, 15 per cent of Tory MPs would have to submit letters of no confidence to 1922 Committee chair, Sir Graham Brady. If at least 50 per cent of MPs then vote no-confidence in their leader, a leadership election begins.
Tory MPs who want to be in the race for the top job will then seek nominations from their colleagues. There will be a series of ballots which will see all the candidates whittled down to just two. The rank and file of the Conservative party will then choose the winner.
Boris Johnson won the general election in 2019 and although he was ousted and replaced with Truss there is no requirement for the Conservative party to call a general election.
Some MPs are understood to want to avoid putting the vote back to the ordinary members of the party. The Telegraph says some MPs want the parliamentary party to choose Truss’s successor, though others warn that this would require a complicated rule change.
This aligns with newspaper reports that say the Tories want to put Rishi Sunak and Penny Mordaunt in office on a “golden ticket” type deal.
READ – Can Liz Truss save her job?
What happens if Liz Truss resigns today?
If Liz Truss resigns as Conservative leader and Prime Minister today, a leadership contest would begin.
Those wanting to get into No 10 would begin trying to get support for their campaign.
However, it is possible that the Tory parliamentary party could rally around a single candidate for the leadership. This would perhaps be seen as a better option as it will avoid time-wasting.
If Truss does not resign and attempts to cling on to power against the will of MPs and peers, the 1922 Committee could and would likely change the rules to allow an early challenge to her (changing the 12-month rule). This would likely see her removal from both leadership of the party and as prime minister.
Can we have a general election?
Labour and Liberal Democrats are amongst those calling for an early general election. But the government is not legally obliged to hold another general election before January 2025 – surely to the delight of Conservatives as the latest opinion polls suggest the Tories would lose most of their seats.
LIVE BLOG- PM RESIGNS
The United States reacts to ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu but so far nothing from President Biden or Trump. The EU’s reaction to the ICC arrest warrant has been dominated by its favourbale support for Netanyahu’s arrest.
The United States reacts to ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu
The United States fundamentally rejects the kangaroo court and its decision by the ICC to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli leaders, a National Security Council spokesperson said Thursday. However, most of its western and NATO allies disagree.
“We remain deeply concerned by the Prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision,” the spokesperson said. “The United States has been clear that the ICC does not have jurisdiction over this matter.”
The spokesperson added that the U.S. was “discussing next steps” with its partners, including Israel.
The United States fundamentally rejects the Kangaroo court
In the US, which, like Israel, is not a member of the court, the tendency seemed to be toward complete rejection, at least in the Republican camp.
Republican US Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, said on X, formerly Twitter, that “any nation that joins with the ICC after this outrage is a partner in a reckless act that tramples the rule of law.”
The U.S. Senate on Wednesday voted down a measure, led by Sen. Bernie Sanders and a handful of Democrats, that sought to block the sale of some $20 billion in U.S.-made weapons to Israel, in a last-ditch effort to limit the carnage, suffering and destruction caused by its 13-month war in Gaza.
Canadian PM Trudeau will respect ICC warrants
Canadian PM Trudeau will respect ICC warrants stating Canada will abide by all rulings issued by international courts, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Thursday.
“It’s really important that everyone abide by international law,” Trudeau said during a televised news conference when questioned on the issue.
“We stand up for international law, and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts,” Trudeau said.
The Palestinian Authority
Palestinian politicians have celebrated a decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, in relation to alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) government said in a statement that the court’s decision “restores hope and confidence in international law and its institutions, and in the importance of justice, accountability and the prosecution of war criminals.”
More than 120 countries are signatories to the Rome Statute, but Israel is not, nor are some major powers including the US, Russia, China and India. While the ICC cannot enforce arrests, signatory states are obliged to apprehend those facing warrants.
Barry Tigay lashed out by mocking the rule of law, depicting it as a kangaroo court, but fails to acknowledge the support he gave the ICC in the arrest for Milosovic.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned
Human Rights Watch (HRW) warned the “important” announcement hinges on the “governments’ willingness to support justice.”
“The ICC arrest warrants against senior Israeli leaders and a Hamas official break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” said Balkees Jarrah, an associate international justice director at HRW.
“These warrants should finally push the international community to address atrocities and secure justice for all victims in Palestine and Israel.”
